synthetic braiding hair: protective or destructive?
Synthetic braiding hair is used amongst Black women globally as a “protective” style.
the unbeweavable.
Many Black women across the globe utilize braids, twists, cornrows etc. as an alternative hairstyle using synthetic braiding hair. These types of styles, while usually a long process to install, are a great convenience as it reduces normal styling time on hair and can be an addition to the inherently natural beauty of the Black woman. Although this is a popular form of styling hair, a recent study conducted by Consumer Report revealed some unstylish, and quite dangerous, facts regarding the usage of many well-known synthetic hair brands. Disclaimer: the facts presented may be unraveling and may provoke unwanted by very necessary change.
According to the Consumer Report, (published February 27, 2025) 90% of popular synthetic hair brands, currently on the market, contains 600 times the “safe” amount allotted for lead. In case you’re not familiar, lead is a toxic heavy metal that, at high levels, can cause developmental delays in children, liver and kidney damage, reproductive issues as well as cardiovascular issues that can lead to hypertension, but the dangers of lead exposure are not limited to what is stated here. Now just to reiterate, a pack of braiding hair has 600 times the “safe” amount allowed for lead to be present in a product. The brands that contained lead were X-Pression, Sassy Collection, and Sensationnel. Unfortunately, the discovery of toxic ingredients in synthetic hair gets more unsettling.
10 of the most popular synthetic hair brands contained carcinogens (cancer causing ingredients) and flame retardants. Below is breakdown of the names and the harmful effects associated with them:
Benzene: A common chemical in the US used to make plastics, resins, nylon and synthetic fibers. Some products it is commonly found in are glues, paints, furniture wax and detergents. At consistent high levels of exposure (inhalation) it can cause drowsiness, confusion, fast or irregular heart beats and headaches.
Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane DCM): A colorless chemical with an odor of chloroform and is used industrial to remove paint and to degrease and clean metals. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has strict safety guidelines and precautions when handling this product. OSHA advises this is an occupational carcinogen.
Styrene (aka vinylbenzene, ethenyl benzene, cinnamene or phenylethylene): A synthetic compound used to make rubber products, plastics, insulation, fiberglass, food containers and automobile parts.
(Brands confirmed to contain some or all these chemicals: Sensationnel, Magic Fingers, Sassy Collection. Brands to potentially contain some of these chemicals or others not listed: Shake-N-Go, Hbegant, Debut, Darling. Model types vary.)
These are just some of the chemicals that were either confirmed ingredients in the popular synthetic hair brands or suspected to be. Benzene was a confirmed finding in almost all the top selling hair brands. A common step in synthetic hair installs is to dip the hair in hot water to help set the style. When this occurs, the chemicals in the hair release in the air to be inhaled and absorbed continuously while the hair is in use. The symptoms of an itchy irritated scalp have become a norm amongst braid enthusiasts using synthetic hair, but it shouldn’t be. Some rare symptoms that have been reported are trouble breathing and intense scalp issues. It is clear the body has been alarming consumers to reject the usage of synthetic hair for the greater good. While there are other options such as human hair and plant based derived ingredients for other non-human hair, it is up to you to make the best decision that works for you. Knowing is half the battle.
Citations
United States Environmental Protection Agency. “Learn about Lead.” US EPA, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 20 Aug. 2018, www.epa.gov/lead/learn-about-lead.
CDC. “Benzene.” Chemical Emergencies, 6 Sept. 2024, www.cdc.gov/chemical-emergencies/chemical-fact-sheets/benzene.html.
“Methylene Chloride - Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Www.osha.gov, www.osha.gov/methylene-chloride.
“Styrene | Toxic Substances | Toxic Substance Portal | ATSDR.” Wwwn.cdc.gov, wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/substances/ToxSubstance.aspx?toxid=74
Jackson, Leigh-Ann. “Dangerous Chemicals Were Detected in 100% of the Braiding Hair We Tested.” Consumer Reports, 27 Feb. 2025, www.consumerreports.org/health/wigs-hair-extensions/dangerous-chemicals-detected-in-braiding-hair-cr-tested-a4850978424. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
